Comparison of the structures of meteor streams of cometary and possible asteroidal origin

The structures of the meteor streams of cometary origin—Draconids, Ursids, Perseids, and Lyrids—and the streams presumably connected with asteroids—Taurids and α-Capricornids—are compared. The comparative analysis was performed by the mass distribution of meteoroids in the stream and the activity profile for the meteors with the maximum recorded stellar magnitude +3 ^m and brighter. Visual observations of 1987–2008 from the database of the International Meteor Organization (IMO) and earlier sources were considered. It has been shown that the structures of the meteor streams of cometary and, presumably, asteroidal origin differ somewhat by the activity profile and the mass distribution of meteoroids in the cross-section of a stream along the Earth’s orbit.     

Stellar-wind envelope around the massive supernova progenitor XRF/GRB 060218/SN 2006aj

The spectra of the supernova SN 2006aj identified with the X-ray flash (XRF) and gammaray burst XRF/GRB 060218/SN 2006aj taken with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences are found to exhibit features, which can be interpreted as hydrogen lines. Such features indicate the existence of a stellar-wind envelope around the massive star—the progenitor of the gamma-ray burst. The results of our modeling of two early spectra taken with the 6-m telescope 2.55 and 3.55 days after the explosion of the type-Ic supernova SN 2006aj (z=0.0331) are reported. The spectra are modeled in the Sobolev approximation using SYNOW code [1, 2]. The spectra of the optical afterglow of the X-ray flash XRF/GRB 060218 are found to exhibit spectral features, which can be interpreted as: (1) the P Cyg-profile of the Hα line for the velocity of 33000 km/s—a broad and small deformation of the continuum in the wavelength interval 5600–6600Å for the first epoch (2.55 days) and (2) a part of the P Cyg-profile of the Hα line in absorption blueshifted by 24000 km/s—a broad spectral feature with a minimum at 6100Å (rest wavelength) for the second epoch (3.55 days). Given earlier observations made with the 6-m telescope and the spectra taken with other telescopes (ESO Lick, ESO VLT and NOT) prior to February 23, 2006, it can be concluded that we are observing the evolution of optical spectra of the type Ic massive supernova SN2006aj during its transition from the short phase with the “shock breakout” into the external layers of the stellar-wind envelope to the spectra of the phase of rising supernova luminosity, which corresponds to radiative heating. We are the first to observe the signs of hydrogen in the spectra of a gamma-ray afterglow.     

Deep array electromagnetic sounding on the Baltic Shield: External excitation model and implications for upper mantle conductivity studies

The BEAR array of simultaneous electromagnetic (EM) observations probes the deep crustal and upper mantle conductivity structure of the Baltic Shield searching for the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary beneath. The adequate interpretation of the results of this unique high latitude natural field EM sounding requires proper understanding of the actual external excitation conditions because conventionally used plane wave model assumptions may be substantially violated in the vicinity of inhomogeneous polar sources. The paper presents an overview of the morphology and statistics of source distortions in the BEAR EM field transfer functions (TF) and the ways of their suppression. The stability of the final TF estimates obtained with the exclusion of intensive non-stationary auroral effects is further justified. The external excitation model effective for the whole BEAR observation period is inferred from the array distribution of the inter-station geomagnetic transfer functions. The model is supported by the results of polar ionosphere–magnetosphere current system studies, based on the simultaneous ground and satellite geomagnetic observations, and sets bounds for the “plane wave” approach in the BEAR data interpretation to avoid unfounded inferences on the upper mantle electrical properties. The signatures of the lithosphere–asthenospere boundary under Fennoscandia derived from the BEAR data are summarized and its resolution within the traditional plane wave interpretational paradigm is analysed assuming the presented external source pattern and estimated TF uncertainties caused by the source inhomogeneity.     

Predictive crystal-chemical relations in Ti-silicates based on the TS block

In a group of minerals of reasonable complexity in which the structure topology is related but not identical, the general relation between structure topology and chemical composition is not known. This problem is of major significance. The structural hierarchy and stereochemistry are described for 27 titanium disilicate minerals that contain the TS (titanium-silicate) block, a central trioctahedral (O) sheet and two adjacent (H) sheets of [5]- and [6]-coordinated polyhedra and (Si₂O₇) groups and related delindeite. The TS block is characterized by a planar cell based on translation vectors, t ₁ and t ₂ , with t ₁ ～ 5.5 and t ₂ ～ 7 Å and t ₁ ∧ t ₂ close to 90°. The general formula of the TS block is A ₂ ^P B ₂ ^P M ₂ ^H M ₄ ^O (Si ₂ O ₇ ) ₂ X _{4 + n}, where M ₂ ^H and M ₄ ^O = cations of the H and O sheets; M^H = Ti (= Ti + Nb), Zr, Mn²⁺, Ca; M^O = Ti, Zr, Mn²⁺, Ca, Na; A ^P and B ^P are cations at the peripheral (P) sites = Na, Ca, Ba; X = anions = O, OH, F; n = 0, 2, 4; the core part of the TS block is shown in bold and is invariant. Cations in each sheet of the TS block form a close-packed layer and the three layers are cubic close packed.There are three topologically distinct TS blocks, depending on the type of linkage of two H sheets and the central O sheet. The H sheets of one TS block attach to the O sheet in the same manner. All structures consist of a TS block and an I (intermediate) block that comprises atoms between two TS blocks. Usually, the I block consists of alkali and alkaline-earth cations, (H₂O) groups and oxyanions (PO₄)^3?, (SO₄)^2? and (CO₃)^2?. These structures naturally fall into four groups, based on differences in topology and stereochemistry of the TS block. In Group I, Ti = 1 apfu Ti occurs in the O sheet, and (Si₂O₇) groups link to a Na polyhedron of the O sheet (linkage 1). In Group II, Ti = 2 apfu, Ti occurs in the H sheet, and (Si₂O₇) groups link to two M ²⁺ octahedra of the O sheet adjacent along t ₂ (linkage 2). In Group III, Ti = 3 apfu, Ti occurs in the O and H sheets, and (Si₂O₇) groups link to the Ti octahedron of the O sheet (linkage 1). In Group IV, Ti = 4 apfu (the maximum possible content of Ti in the TS block), Ti occurs in the O and H sheets, and (Si₂O₇) groups link to two Ti octahedra of the O sheet adjacent along t ₁ (linkage 3). The stability of the TS block is due to the ability of Ti (Nb) to have an extremely wide range in Ti (Nb)-anion bond lengths, 1.68–2.30 Å, which allows the chemical composition of the TS block to vary widely. In crystal structures so far known, only one type of TS block occurs in a structure. The TS block propagates close-packing of cations onto the I block. The general structural principles and the relation between structure topology and chemical composition are described for the TS-block minerals. These principles allow prediction of structural arrangements and possible chemical compositions, and testing whether or not all aspects of the structure and chemical formula of a mineral are correct. Here, I show how these principles work, and review recent results that show the effectiveness of these principles as a predictive technique.     

Mapping S-Wave Attenuation Field of the North Tien Shan Region Using Seismogram Coda for Local Earthquakes and Quarry Blasts

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - We have mapped the short-period shear-wave attenuation field in the lithosphere of the North Tien Shan and analyzed seismograms of local earthquakes and...     

Functional organization of vegetation in the system of cartographic forecasting

Presented are the results from the assessment stage of forecasting-cartographic investigations into the vegetation in the Angara-Lena interfluve. An assessment is made of the main (preferred) and secondary ecological functions of vegetation within the geosystems. We demonstrate their changes with respect to native (reconstructed) vegetation.     

On late Maastrichtian-early Danian water masses and lithologic and foraminifer assemblages in different tectonic zones of the Mountainous Crimea

This paper presents data on the structure of reference sections of the Maastrichtian-Danian boundary beds and the assemblages of benthic and planktonic foraminifers enclosed in these rocks. These are based on examination of the reference sections in two different structure-facies zones of the Mountainous Crimea: the Kacha Uplift and Indol-Kuban Trough. The strongly different lithologic and foraminifer assemblages in these sections indicate the presence of completely different water masses in the shelf part of the marine basin with water depths varying from those of the middle-lower sublittoral zone (in the Belbek, Beshkosh, and Chakhmakhly sections in the southwestern part of the Mountainous Crimea) to those of the pelagic environment on the continental slope and at the continental rise (section in Mount Klement’ev in the Indol-Kuban Trough). These assemblages indicate the sedimentation environment in the transition zone between the Kacha shelf and the deep-water Black Sea Basin.     

Activation of seismicity in Central and South Asia after the Makran earthquakes: Possible acceleration of preparation of large seismic events in the Tien Shan region

Two zones of seismicity (ten events with M _w = 7.0–7.7) stretching from Makran and the Eastern Himalaya to the Central and EasternTien Shan, respectively, formed over 11 years after the great Makran earthquake of 1945 (M _w = 8.1). Two large earthquakes (M _w = 7.7) hit theMakran area in 2013. In addition, two zones of seismicity (M ≥ 5.0) occurred 1–2 years after theMakran earthquake in September 24, 2013, stretching in the north-northeastern and north-northwestern directions. Two large Nepal earthquakes struck the southern extremity of the “eastern” zone (April 25, 2015, M _w = 7.8 and May 12, 2015, M _w = 7.3), and the Pamir earthquake (December 7, 2015, M _w = 7.2) occurred near Sarez Lake eastw of the “western” zone. The available data indicate an increase in subhorizontal stresses in the region under study, which should accelerate the possible preparation of a series of large earthquakes, primarily in the area of the Central Tien Shan, between 70° and 79° E, where no large earthquakes (M _w ≥ 7.0) have occurred since 1992.     

Analysis of diurnal dynamics of the geomagnetic field variation spectrum

A statistical analysis of the variations of three components of the Earth’s magnetic field obtained at Almaty during 2008 is performed. It is found that in the daytime and nighttime periods, a distinct difference in the spectra of variations with periods corresponding to acoustic-gravity waves is observed. An explanation of this difference is proposed. It is based on the mechanism of change in the acoustic-gravity wave spectrum caused by the interaction of atmospheric gas with solar radiation.